New prognostic factor in lung cancer

Thyroid transcription factor 1—a new prognostic factor in lung cancer: a meta-analysis

T Berghmans1,*, M Paesmans2, C Mascaux1, B Martin1, A-P Meert1, A Haller3, J-J Lafitte4 and J-P Sculier1

1) Department of Intensive Care and Thoracic Oncology, Institut Jules Bordet, Centre des Tumeurs de l'Université Libre de Bruxelles, Belgium
2)Data Centre, Institut Jules Bordet, Centre des Tumeurs de l'Université Libre de Bruxelles, Belgium
3) Department of Pathology, Institut Jules Bordet, Centre des Tumeurs de l'Université Libre de Bruxelles, Belgium
4) Chest Department, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Calmette, Lille, France
*Correspondence to: Dr T. Berghmans, Institut Jules Bordet, rue Héger-Bordet, 1, B-1000 Brussels, Belgium. Tel: +32-2-541-31-91; Fax: +32-2-534-37-56; E-mail: thierry.berghmans@bordet.be

Background: The aim of this study was to determine the prognostic role for survival of thyroid transcription factor 1 (TTF-1) in lung cancer.
Methods: Studies evaluating survival and TTF-1 in lung cancer patients, published until August 2005, were assessed with a methodological scoring system. The required data for estimation of individual hazard ratios (HRs) for survival were extracted from the publications and a combined HR was calculated.
Results: We identified 10 eligible papers, all dealing with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Eight were meta-analysed (evaluable studies). Seven studies included patients with local and/or locoregional diseases and three dealt only with adenocarcinoma. Median methodological quality score was 65.9% (range = 31.8%–70.5%). TTF-1 positivity was associated with statistically significant reduced or improved survival in one and four studies, respectively. Combined HR for the eight evaluable studies was 0.64 [95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.41–1.00]. In the subgroup of adenocarcinoma, the combined HR was 0.53 (95% CI = 0.29–0.95).
Conclusion: TTF-1 is a good prognostic factor for survival in NSCLC. Its effect appears also significant when the analysis is restricted to patients with adenocarcinoma. This study supports the fact that TTF-1 could be included in further prospective trials studying prognostic factors in NSCLC.

Annals of Oncology 2006 17(11):1673-1676
© 2006 European Society for Medical Oncology